Regional

10:07 am

Fri March 29, 2013

Texas Jobless Rate Rises

State officials say the Texas unemployment rate rose slightly in February to 6.4 percent but add that leading industries continue to show growth.

The rate is an increase from 6.3 percent in January and 6.1 percent in December. The Texas Workforce Commission reports Friday the state added 80,600 jobs in February, bringing the total seasonally adjusted, nonfarm jobs added over the last year to 359,800.

The state unemployment rate remains well below the 7.1 percent recorded in February 2012. It's also below the latest national rate of 7.7 percent.

Officials say state industries such as construction and manufacturing added 21,200 jobs in February. Employment in professional and business services rose by 25,400 jobs.

The Midland area recorded the lowest unemployment rate in February at 3.2 percent.